[Update: Lieberman to vote no. Jackass]
In a surprise setback for Democratic leaders, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, independent of Connecticut, said on Sunday that he would vote against the health care legislation in its current form.
[Update: Another effort we're helping with: from Working Assets, demanding Lieberman be stripped of his chairman role.]
Folks, we diaried this earlier, when we passed the $1 million mark, and... I'm happy to say the momentum is continuing, big time. 30,000 people have now pledged more than $1.5 million, via our Facebook page, "If Joe Lieberman filibusters health care, I will donate to his opponent."
We've been covered by MSNBC ("Hardball"), Politico, etc., (see http://Facebook.com/...), which is great, but... we need to ratchet up the pressure if we're going to make a difference (yeah, yeah, he's stubborn, but... might $2 million make a difference? $3 mil? We can sure as hell try).
Here's the press release we just put out. Please do what you can to spread the word, and keep the momentum going (forward it, blog it, pass to reporters, etc.)!
(Press Release Follows)
30,000 Activists Pledge $1.5 Million against Lieberman if He Filibusters Health Care; Pledges Take Novel Form, via Page on Facebook Platform®
Contact: John Hlinko
Over 30,000 angry activists have pledged more $1.5 million to unseat Senator Joe Lieberman if he follows through on his threat to filibuster health care reform. The pledges were logged via a novel form – a Page on the Facebook Platform®, titled, "If Joe Lieberman Filibusters Health Care, I will donate to his opponent." (http://Facebook.com/StopJoe)
Washington DC (PRWEB) December 13, 2009 -- Over 30,000 angry activists have pledged more $1.5 million to unseat Senator Joe Lieberman if he follows through on his threat to filibuster health care reform. The pledges were logged via a novel form – a Page on the Facebook Platform®, titled, "If Joe Lieberman Filibusters Health Care, I will donate to his opponent." (http://Facebook.com/StopJoe)
"30,000 activists are telling Senator Lieberman that enough is enough, and that they’re willing to put their money where their mouse is," said John Hlinko, founder of the effort, and longtime netroots activist leader. "Our message to Senator Lieberman is clear: If you choose to torpedo health care reform, we will come after you in 2012, and we will defeat you."
The page was launched on November 9th, at http://Facebook.com/... , and grew quickly through viral spreading. Supporters are asked to make their pledge by "fanning" the page, and are asked to commit at least $50. Money is not collected at the time of the pledge, but pledgers will be contacted as the 2012 campaign unfolds, and asked to make their donation directly to Lieberman's opponents.
"We've rallied 30,000 supporters in the course of a month, we have the ability to instantly communicate with them, and we know precisely the issue that will lead them to open their wallets," said Hlinko. "This will be a powerful resource for the right opponent, and we hope Senator Lieberman will consider this strongly before choosing how to vote."
(Disclaimer: While this effort is taking advantage of the Facebook Platform®, it is in no way officially connected with or endorsed by Facebook).
About the "Stop Joe" Leadership
John Hlinko, head of the effort, was also the founder of a "Draft Wesley Clark" pledge effort in 2003 that raised nearly $2 mllion in pledges for a Clark candidacy. A long-time grassroots/netroots activist and innovator, Hlinko was named one of the top 5 PR professionals of the year by "PR Week," and also One of world’s top 25, "individuals, organizations and companies that are having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics," by the World Forum on e-Democracy. (see http://Hlinko.org for more information).